Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

had another example today of why even a smaller CUV comes in handy. Had to transport my sliding screen door today. Was going to use my sonata, but turns out, the pass through opening was a little bit too narrow (both seats go down, but the opening is much smaller than it could be). Oops. Had to get the RDX to fit it in.

andres3

kyfdx said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

kyfdx said:

Don't know if I updated.

My son's '95 M3 with a low, low 224K miles, seems to have survived the overheating episode. New belts, pulley, thermostat, radiator cap and coolant.. He's put a couple hundred miles on it since, with no ill effects.

Yay!

Next time, ask him to shut it down immediately.

Yeah... we'd already had the discussion. Immediately is evidently open to interpretation.

Yes, I think idiot lights are defined this way:

Yellow - you can ignore until your next oil change without breaking the bank.

Red - You better get that looked at immediately.

Blinking Red - You better get that looked at really truly IMMEDIATELY. As in, consider having the car turned off right now and towed to the shop.

andres3

kyfdx said:

Don't know if I updated.

My son's '95 M3 with a low, low 224K miles, seems to have survived the overheating episode. New belts, pulley, thermostat, radiator cap and coolant.. He's put a couple hundred miles on it since, with no ill effects.

Yay!

Someone in the SD Audi Club reported their old A3 just had the engine bite the dust (piston rings disintegrated scored the piston wall in cylinder 1) at 235K miles. Stage 3 modified (KO4 turbo). Looking at $4K + Labor.

If your son's M3 reaches 235K miles, would he be satisfied?

breld

jpp5862 said:

breld said:

Yup, I was thinking $5,000 is the top, though I doubt it's absolutely mint. I'll find out this afternoon!

I'm bored at work today as well, too bad I didn't work from home or I'd join you.

Well, if I decide on a second look at it, I'll let you know!

tbirdmarco

@corvette cant wate the suspences to much lol lol.

tbirdmarco

@breld nice nice road tripes are alwas fun evan tho I cant drive have an nice fun time. ready for an nother road trip the one to Canada to weeks ago was not enuff lol lol.

tbirdmarco

@corvette hmm no nother SUV than hmm not shore witch one!

qbrozen

andres3 said:

kyfdx said:

Don't know if I updated.

My son's '95 M3 with a low, low 224K miles, seems to have survived the overheating episode. New belts, pulley, thermostat, radiator cap and coolant.. He's put a couple hundred miles on it since, with no ill effects.

Yay!

Someone in the SD Audi Club reported their old A3 just had the engine bite the dust (piston rings disintegrated scored the piston wall in cylinder 1) at 235K miles. Stage 3 modified (KO4 turbo). Looking at $4K + Labor.

If your son's M3 reaches 235K miles, would he be satisfied?

That is pretty impressive. Wonder how long it would have lasted not being overboosted. Hope the owner isn't really going to sink $4k into it.

sda

Mr_Shiftright said:

stickguy said:

interesting paint job on that. Looks OK to me, if you are into attracting attention to yourself!

I saw this one on the site. I like it. But mostly wanted to point out one of the incentives included; "low credit score incentive $1,500". Wow. I thought people with bad credit, paid more! I guess that is to offset the higher interest rate?

http://www.hillviewmotors.com/wholesale-new/Ram/2017-Ram-1500-7dc76a4f0a0e0ae7513b8f85bacfadac.htm

I read somewhere that the percentage of car loans that are sub prime is getting a bit scary.

That doesn't surprise me. I am seeing signs everywhere that the mistakes made that created the 2007-8 crisis are being repeated. Buy a house with zero down, etc. really?

roadburner

sandman_6472 said:

My question to all you guys who have spouses, are they always on board when you do purchase something new or just different? I know you single folks don't have to clear large expenditures with anyone else. But us married folk most times do, even if we're spending personal funds and not joint monies. I know how mine reacts and it's always the same. The questions days , weeks and even months afterwards. But just curious if other households are the same. Not all husbands and wives are on the same wave length when it comes to spending money...and on what. Those can be interesting conversations, very interesting!!!

The Sandman

As long as I don't do something totally irresponsible my wife is good with it. She was even on board when I was thinking about the turbo Elise and the School Bus Yellow Boss 302. I thought she might be a bit miffed when I accidentally bought the 2002 on eBay, but bless her heart she thought it was an entertaining choice.

nyccarguy

sda said:

interesting paint job on that. Looks OK to me, if you are into attracting attention to yourself!

I saw this one on the site. I like it. But mostly wanted to point out one of the incentives included; "low credit score incentive $1,500". Wow. I thought people with bad credit, paid more! I guess that is to offset the higher interest rate?

http://www.hillviewmotors.com/wholesale-new/Ram/2017-Ram-1500-7dc76a4f0a0e0ae7513b8f85bacfadac.htm

I read somewhere that the percentage of car loans that are sub prime is getting a bit scary.

That doesn't surprise me. I am seeing signs everywhere that the mistakes made that created the 2007-8 crisis are being repeated. Buy a house with zero down, etc. really?

I agree with you 100%.  

pensfan83

sda said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

stickguy said:

interesting paint job on that. Looks OK to me, if you are into attracting attention to yourself!

I saw this one on the site. I like it. But mostly wanted to point out one of the incentives included; "low credit score incentive $1,500". Wow. I thought people with bad credit, paid more! I guess that is to offset the higher interest rate?

http://www.hillviewmotors.com/wholesale-new/Ram/2017-Ram-1500-7dc76a4f0a0e0ae7513b8f85bacfadac.htm

I read somewhere that the percentage of car loans that are sub prime is getting a bit scary.

That doesn't surprise me. I am seeing signs everywhere that the mistakes made that created the 2007-8 crisis are being repeated. Buy a house with zero down, etc. really?

Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

Mr_Shiftright

breld said:

Well, made it up to this dealership to check out the Del Sol.



Overall it's in great condition given its age, but not nearly in any sort of "mint" condition. The interior condition actually comes close - in fact, it's about as good as I would ever expect. No rips or abnormally worn spots in the seats, no cracks in the dash, a/c works well, but I didn't try the cassette.

Exterior has several dings and some fairly minor blemishes on a couple corners of the bumpers. Again, nothing all that bad. The dings could be taken care of easily, and I imagine the blemishes could be worked on too without actual body shop work. Even as is, it's a good example for the year.

It was a pretty short test drive, but it ran nicely and shifted great. Took it up to its redline, which I believe was 7k or so - that was fun. Certainly not a particularly quick car, but I didn't expect it to be. I believe these had 130 hp or so?

In all honesty, if it was blue, or maybe black, I'd be more interested. As it is, I still am interested - not too many 65k one-owner Hondas like this around. I spoke briefly with the manager and said I'd think about it, but one of the main obstacles is their pricing. He claimed to be open to the more reasonable KBB and NADA numbers, but I didn't want to get into any kind of offers without being sure I'd be a buyer at the right price (and said as much).

I think I'd go for it at something around $3,500 'cause, "why not?" At their ridiculous listed price of $9k, doubt they're thinking of going that low yet. But given the audience for that car, I also doubt they'll get any offer much above $4-5k.

My general response to a dealer who is advertising a car at 2X book value is: "Is this car really for sale or are you trolling?"

pensfan83

nyccarguy said:

@pensfan83 - they discount the daylights out of those suckers.  A friend of mine recently leased a V6 JGC Overland for $478 per month including tax & 20K per year for 36 months.

Good to know, thank you! Seeing as how I need half that mileage that certainly bodes well for me.

Mr_Shiftright

Wouldn't you know it. I finally find my dream car right in my neighborhood and damn! It's an automatic with a dirty CARFAX! Who would even buy such a car?

SIGH....

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/ctd/6166516021.html

Mr_Shiftright

Here's another...clean CARFAX, manual transmission, nice low miles, but I don't much care for the color. Not sure if they'd let me drive it 100 miles to take to my Porsche shop either. For this kind of money, it pretty much has to be everything I want, because it's going to have to last me a while.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ctd/6147541825.html

stickguy

Nice looking. I love that color myself.

graphicguy

roadburner said:

sandman_6472 said:

My question to all you guys who have spouses, are they always on board when you do purchase something new or just different? I know you single folks don't have to clear large expenditures with anyone else. But us married folk most times do, even if we're spending personal funds and not joint monies. I know how mine reacts and it's always the same. The questions days , weeks and even months afterwards. But just curious if other households are the same. Not all husbands and wives are on the same wave length when it comes to spending money...and on what. Those can be interesting conversations, very interesting!!!

The Sandman

As long as I don't do something totally irresponsible my wife is good with it. She was even on board when I was thinking about the turbo Elise and the School Bus Yellow Boss 302. I thought she might be a bit miffed when I accidentally bought the 2002 on eBay, but bless her heart she thought it was an entertaining choice.

She's a keeper!

graphicguy

Mr_Shiftright said:

Here's another...clean CARFAX, manual transmission, nice low miles, but I don't much care for the color. Not sure if they'd let me drive it 100 miles to take to my Porsche shop either. For this kind of money, it pretty much has to be everything I want, because it's going to have to last me a while.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/ctd/6147541825.html

That's right up my alley....RED over TAN!

stickguy

if that one is pricey, as clean and low miles as it is, what would you consider to be a solid (skinny but not crazy) deal on it?

corvette

andres3 said:

Lately, it seems belts (for your pants, not your car) are not made the way they used to be, although maybe being over 200 pounds has something to do with that. I am 6'3" though.

Having that problem, too. Replaced my daily dress shoes and belt from the clothier where I get my business attire. I picked out the shoes but just told him to get me a belt that matched. It matches but I'm not happy with the construction or the way it's holding up after a year.

corvette

I get to see a lot of transaction documents, and there are a ton of 100% LTV loans being made now, some to people with iffy credit. I've seen a few over 100% LTV. History doesn't repeat itself, but it rhymes. I don't think there are as many synthetic CDOs out there nowadays, but you never know.

I've been fortunate enough in life that a prenup would be a requirement... One of the thoughts that I had about my ex was that, if we got married, her child would be much less likely to qualify for college financial aid. Which is fine, but something I would have wanted to explain to her beforehand so we could come up with a plan to have adequate savings. Just one of those things that you think about in your own head to make a relationship as successful as possible without telling your significant other.

Sandman6472

"Personal funds" = inheritance. Though small, something sure is better than nothing. I was a bit luckier growing up as my dad was pretty successful, very smart, and he moved right into the family business. And that was sold in the mid 60's. Nothing for us kids to go into.
Since I went into government service, I knew that when I married, we'd be living on a lot less going forward. And this is what happened. Wife only went back to work part time after the 3rd was in kindergarten. Living under our means is just the way we roll, still do, and probably always will. Same with our kids, that's all they've seen so they seem to be doing the same.

The Sandman

stickguy

5 months exactly from today, my car goes back. Not that I am keeping track or anything. I assume later in the summer I will start getting bombarded with emails about getting into a replacement (and how he return process works)

ab348

stickguy said:

5 months exactly from today, my car goes back. Not that I am keeping track or anything. I assume later in the summer I will start getting bombarded with emails about getting into a replacement (and how he return process works)

Mine is on a similar timeline, end of October. The deal they offered this week would advance that and I am in the middle of the return process, which is slightly painful. Waiting on a call from the outfit that does lease-end inspections. Since Tuesday.

fintail

A friend of mine's MKZ lease is up in 3 months. He just test drove a CT6 (he likes to bring down average age stats) and likes it a lot, but hasn't discussed numbers. He wasn't thrilled with what I told him it would likely lease for (he also has out of warranty fears, and enjoys a newer car).

I wonder if Lincoln will give him any deals.

stickguy

I saw a nice new style CTS yesterday. Medium blue. With full fabric roof, and gold line tires. Was interesting.

Michaell

fintail said:

A friend of mine's MKZ lease is up in 3 months. He just test drove a CT6 (he likes to bring down average age stats) and likes it a lot, but hasn't discussed numbers. He wasn't thrilled with what I told him it would likely lease for (he also has out of warranty fears, and enjoys a newer car).

I wonder if Lincoln will give him any deals.

For the first time in forever, we've got Lincoln lease numbers. Let me know what trim, term and mileage, and I'm happy to share both those and the CT6 numbers, for comparison.

andres3

qbrozen said:

andres3 said:

kyfdx said:

Don't know if I updated.

My son's '95 M3 with a low, low 224K miles, seems to have survived the overheating episode. New belts, pulley, thermostat, radiator cap and coolant.. He's put a couple hundred miles on it since, with no ill effects.

Yay!

Someone in the SD Audi Club reported their old A3 just had the engine bite the dust (piston rings disintegrated scored the piston wall in cylinder 1) at 235K miles. Stage 3 modified (KO4 turbo). Looking at $4K + Labor.

If your son's M3 reaches 235K miles, would he be satisfied?

That is pretty impressive. Wonder how long it would have lasted not being overboosted. Hope the owner isn't really going to sink $4k into it.

The car is in very good condition and has a lot of customizing/upgrades in favor of putting a new engine in. However, and that's a big however, I imagine the owner, if smart, will cut loose of the car (the DSG is also 235K miles old), Also, they are looking at way more than $4,000 unless they do the engine swap themselves. This is the definition of a money pit unless you just part it out or sell it. You could spend $5,000 on it and you'd be lucky to get your money back in the sale.

pensfan83

3.5 months left for me. Not a peep from my dealer, not that I'm complaining because I would have a noncommittal answer for them.

And on that note how early is too early to start taking some test drives? Not looking to buy just yet but I do want to start narrowing the list down. Probably the wrong crowd to ask that question 

tifighter

Just because...
https://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/6167812111.html

stickguy

pensfan83 said:

3.5 months left for me. Not a peep from my dealer, not that I'm complaining because I would have a noncommittal answer for them.

And on that note how early is too early to start taking some test drives? Not looking to buy just yet but I do want to start narrowing the list down. Probably the wrong crowd to ask that question 

I already did. You definitely should be.

Heck, Michael started 2.5 years early

stickguy

tifighter said:

Just because...
https://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/6167812111.html

Definitely 1 of 1. Why not start with a 5.0 stick? Save a bundle.

Still, I kinda like it? Maybe? Biggest issue is no top!

fintail

I'll check with him. He has a MKZ hybrid that has been fine, and he got a deal on it (I forget the exact numbers), as I think they can carry big incentives.

He was going on about the XT6 hybrid, but I think that might be stretching his budget. He's a 40 year old guy who likes premium American cars, for their relative rarity, and being safer to park in a somewhat edgy neighborhood.

Michaell said:

For the first time in forever, we've got Lincoln lease numbers. Let me know what trim, term and mileage, and I'm happy to share both those and the CT6 numbers, for comparison.

andres3

Going small will make your car a rarity in the gold old USA. Smart cars and Sparks are rare in these parts. Even Sonics are rare. I don't see many Festiva's or Fiesta's around either.

My TTS is rare too

Many people with growing families feel like they have to resort to an SUV, but look here, even a GOLF Wagon can hold a treadmill in the cargo bay:

roadburner

People like big SUVs and Minivans because they don't want to think about packing for a trip or similar- just throw in anything you might remotely need.

ab348

pensfan83 said:

3.5 months left for me. Not a peep from my dealer, not that I'm complaining because I would have a noncommittal answer for them.

And on that note how early is too early to start taking some test drives? Not looking to buy just yet but I do want to start narrowing the list down. Probably the wrong crowd to ask that question 

Before I got the call from the dealer I was already making a list of things that might interest me.

tjc78

roadburner said:

People like big SUVs and Minivans because they don't want to think about packing for a trip or similar- just throw in anything you might remotely need.

We are somewhat guilty of that.

Mr_Shiftright

stickguy said:

if that one is pricey, as clean and low miles as it is, what would you consider to be a solid (skinny but not crazy) deal on it?

Since it isn't an "S", I'd like to buy it at around $19.5K which is right at Kelley Book for Private Party. If it's still up after the weekend, I might give it serious thought. Still not good with the color, though. I wanted that dark blue with tan interior. Everybody and his pet monkey has a silver Boxster or Cayman.

fintail

A friend of mine got by with normal cars with one kid, but at two kids, in came the Armada.

tbirdmarco

@stickguy 5 munths will go fast keep those test drives going and the looking. I really do injoy reading about it all from you all!

tbirdmarco

@pensfan83 would start the test driving this weekand!

stickguy

I like the looks of these. But you would have to be way braver than me to "call for price"

https://www.subaruofcherryhill.com/used/Saab/2005-Saab-9-5-Cherry+Hill+NJ-86d0bae50a0e0ae7513b8f85ac6c05af.htm?searchDepth=9:36

mjfloyd1

stickguy said:

I like the looks of these. But you would have to be way braver than me to "call for price"

https://www.subaruofcherryhill.com/used/Saab/2005-Saab-9-5-Cherry+Hill+NJ-86d0bae50a0e0ae7513b8f85ac6c05af.htm?searchDepth=9:36

It says $3150 when I look

qbrozen

165k? No thanks!

I actually always liked the looks of the final gen sedan.

graphicguy

tifighter said:

Just because...
https://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/6167812111.html

Something tells me he's going to be sitting on that car for a very, very long time.

jpp75

qbrozen said:

165k? No thanks!

I actually always liked the looks of the final gen sedan.

I did as well. It was a great last gasp from Saab. If I had unlimited funds, time and mechanical and electrical knowledge I'd consider one.

kyfdx

jpp5862 said:

qbrozen said:

165k? No thanks!

I actually always liked the looks of the final gen sedan.

I did as well. It was a great last gasp from Saab. If I had unlimited funds, time and mechanical and electrical knowledge I'd consider one.

Uh... no you wouldn't..

qbrozen

Another car that is not actually for sale:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=449294451

jpp75

kyfdx said:

jpp5862 said:

qbrozen said:

165k? No thanks!

I actually always liked the looks of the final gen sedan.

I did as well. It was a great last gasp from Saab. If I had unlimited funds, time and mechanical and electrical knowledge I'd consider one.

Uh... no you wouldn't..

It wouldn't be my only car if I had unlimited funds, just one of many.